Lead Testing in Floor Finish - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

TopFloor · 06-02-2009, 03:43 AM

I bought a 'lead testing kit' to check for the presence of lead in the finish on an 80 year old floor. The kit contained 2 small tubes which resemble those ammonia smelling ampules you find in first aid kits. The instructions say, [rub the end on test area... if it turns red, lead is present]...
Well, guess what? It turned light yellow with a hint of orange.

I checked the phone book to see if there is a company in town with a lab that can check samples for lead. I found one company, and they wanted $300 to come out and check it.
What do you all do to test for lead? Do you test for lead? Under what circumstances?
Thanks in advance!

Mike(VA) · 06-02-2009, 05:01 AM

No definitive answer here but it sounds like the floor may have had a non-lead based application over one that had lead. However, all I have ever heard about was lead paint and I am not sure where the floors fit with regards to the new rules. Sounds like something to check on since I also will be affected. You are welcome, thanks for bringing it up.

shesaremonclus · 06-02-2009, 07:16 AM

Here were we are the city mandates a lead test that they pay for with federal funds. If for some reason the property fails a third party needs to come out at about $175.00 for 8 swabs, the good thing is that the city cover up to $100.00 of this cost. So keep looking or call your municipality $300.00 sounds high.

ian@prosource · 06-02-2009, 09:31 AM

Should you not be able to get a clear ' no lead ' reading via the various routes & methods, my advise is treat it as lead has been found. better to be safe than sorry.

After 80 years there may be other nasties to think about as well as lead once you get started.

mrwoodman · 06-02-2009, 03:48 PM

Existing oil finish or urethane finish. Are you just wanting to clean it up, re-coat it or re-finish it?

ron

TopFloor · 06-03-2009, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrwoodman

Existing oil finish or urethane finish. Are you just wanting to clean it up, re-coat it or re-finish it?

ron

Thanks Ron,
It has some repairs needed, plank replacements, and then the customer would prefer a sand and refinish. They have a newborn and are worried about any lingering, airborne contaminants, especially lead.